We are families being separated by the reckless needs of others. Sky and her Mindor, Corzin, and Hatchet and Quinn are out here too. And I fear for all of them. For all ofus.
I hike after my team into the transport and the small pod that will house us at our drop point. It’s a tight fit. We are just one seed of chaos among many in the belly.
“Com check,” Fieri growls. He refuses to even look at Blaize, as we put our ear coms in and verbally confirm our link.
“Ooh, he is mad at you,” Rykarn mutters to Blaize.
Blaize’s green eyes light up. “Usually. If he isn’t, that’s when I worry.”
There are weapons in the small vessel, and I take a rifle and three extra magazines. We sit in a circle around the holographic schematic table beneath the weapons rack that closes into the ceiling.
As our transport leavesGravionto begin drop-offs, Fieri starts up the holographic display so we can monitor the approaching ships. “Thorians have food. Their world grows it well, so we’re certain they’re going to raid these cellars first.” Hetaps a few locations on the planet’s surface. “We’re taking down these ships by Mindor. So if you’re on board, this is likely where you’re going to end up if you are unsuccessful. But youwillbe successful.”
“What do they want with Mindor?” Osiris asks.
“Have you ever seen a female Neb?” Fieri asks.
Osiris bears the Drathious mark of vengeance under each eye in black war paint that’s Inferno reactive, and the look suits him. “Well, no. But I just thought they kept them hidden.”
Fieri sits back like he’s totally comfortable with flying head-on into battle. “It’s possible. They do seem to breed like rodents. But Mindor does not have much in the way of ore, tech, food, or medicine. They are still rather primal in their ways. So my theory is that they are valued for their females. Nebs and Mindor have similar body structure, teeth, and short fur. They are likely compatible.”
Our drop site appears, and the transport ejects us into space above Mindor.
“Any other concerns or questions?” Fieri asks as the pod’s autopilot mode parks us where we’re supposed to be, then cuts engines.
I check on my crew. Osiris nervously bounces a knee, clutching the rifle between his hands. Rykarn chews on something as he looks out at the stars like they are his death sentence. Vryskas swipes over the schematic again, while Sidius studies all of them like he’s trying to memorize their faces one last time.
I rest a hand on Sidius’ shoulder. The pained look he gives me says he doesn’t want to do this, but he won’t abandon the team. We’ve all lost brothers. Of the fifty-three orphans Cinuska raised, we are all that remain. The five of us.
“Can’t believe you gave up a week of partying to be here,” Blaize says to me.
I look over at him. “My family comes first.”
“What about Brynna?” Rykarn asks.
“She was as demanding as him.” Fieri closes his helmet. “Light ‘em up.”
Blaize closes his helmet. Green schematics illuminate on his visor, like Fieri’s.
“Burn them down,” Sidius growls.
I take one last breath of air and unfold my mask over my face. I will survive on my Inferno’s energy until I can access oxygen again. Sidius and my brothers close up their masks, too.
We climb out into frigid space. Blaize darkens the ship, and we split into two crews. Fieri takes one, and Blaize takes the other. I am with Blaize, Osiris, and Vryskas. Fieri has Rykarn and Sidius.Mesannokis our target, but we get whatever ships we get.
Blaize ignites his suit and drifts out into space. Osiris, Vryskas, and I ignite our wings and follow Blaize into the emptiness to get into position.
I already miss the heat of Brynna against me. Icy fingers of frost crawl over my mask as I ease out among the stars. Within a few minutes, we’re spread out in space like a treacherous mine field: silent, dark, and waiting to wreck the Nebs’ plans.
For many long minutes, we wait. I scan the distant void all around us, searching for signs of ships.
We get the tone over our ear coms.
“Here they come,” Fieri says in my ear.
I twist to see the fleet headed for Mindor as they cut their hyperdrive engines with pale blue-white flashes. There are hundreds of vessels.
There are not nearly enough of us.
